News-Letter

Media Credit: Daniel Litwin/Photography Editor

As 2009 drew to a close, plans were drawn up to renew the area between Howard and 25th Street in Baltimore.

Currently home to the Anderson Automative dealership, the area has long been in need of a renovation. After the restructuring of General Motors led to the shuttering of the dealership, community leaders saw an opportunity to create new jobs and businesses in the area.

"The shuttering of the dealership offers an opportunity to rethink the area and potentially create an anchor for commercial activity along 25th Street," Tom Stosur, Director of the Baltimore City Department of Planning, said.

Walker Developments Inc. plans to spearhead the $65 million project to construct businesses in the area, including a brand new Lowe's home improvement store. The project is estimated to generate 400 jobs during construction and 800 full and part-time retail jobs after its completion.

"Some of the proposed retail uses exist nowhere else in central Baltimore and could help capture spending that is currently going outside the city," Stosur said. 

"Certainly, it will provide jobs as well as shopping opportunities to Baltimore residents."

In addition, the project includes the construction of 60 new apartments in the area.

The project is currently being reviewed by several different committees. The Charles Village Civic Association Land Use Committee has been attending several meetings held by the developer and has been collecting feedback from local residents and businesses.

The committee has also been working with the Councilwoman Belinda Conaway and the Land Use Committees of the Greater Remington Improvement Association and the Old Goucher Community Association to help coordinate communication between the Developer, the community, and legislators.

An Urban Design and Architectural Review Panel has also been formed by the city to study matters such as the relationship between the development and the local area, as well as the ability of the development to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The Developer is expected to come out with a second draft of development plans soon.

Representatives from both local community organizations the Charles Village Civic Association and the Remington Neighborhood Alliance could not be reached for comment.

Jon Laria, a lawyer working with the developers could also not be reached for comment nor could the Architectural firm designing the development, Kann Partners.

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